In Finland, you cannot be sure that the product you’re buying promotes sustainable development unless it is marked on the product with the proper label. This means that buying products without the proper labels can harm the environment if you are not careful. The production location is usually always marked on the product so that you can easily find what is local and so doesn't cause environmental emission.
When you want to make sure that the production is favorable for the environment and that the people and the animals within the production feel well, here are some tips how to spot the right products. Organic ("luomu") food is also free from chemicals and on that way healthier. Often the products with a label may be a bit more expensive since the control system makes more expenses. Local production means always less emissions and storing. There might be a sign of "suomalainen" = Finnish or "kotimainen" = domestic. You can also identify Finnish products with these labels:
The Hyvää Suomesta (Produce of Finland) label means that the product contains at least 75 per cent Finnish ingredients. All meat, fish, eggs and milk used in the products must be 100 per cent Finnish, as must products made up of a single ingredient. (Added water is not included as an ingredient.) http://www.hyvaasuomesta.fi/english
The Avainlippu (“a key flag”) label is a designation of a product or service made in Finland. It guarantees 50 per cent of Finnish origin of the costs of product or service and that the head office of the company is in Finland. The average degree of the domestic origin of Avainlippu products is 80 %. http://suomalainentyo.fi/yrityksille/avainlippu/
"Organic" is "luomu" in Finnish and you can identify the organic products of these labels:
Euro Leaf (EU organic logo)
The Euro Leaf logo is indicates about organic food established by the European Union. It means that at least 95% of the agricultural ingredients are organic. The label is compulsory for all the pre-packed organic food produced within the EU and you can even find the country of origin beside the label. http://www.euroleaf.org/
In addition to the Euro Leaf logo you may also find Finland’s own voluntary organic labels:
The Joutsenmerkki (Swan label/ the Nordic Ecolabel) is a logo for a product or a service and means high environmental and climate requirements. A life-cycle perspective of the product is analyzed. Criteria is also set with regard to quality, health aspects and performance/functionality. http://www.nordic-ecolabel.org/criteria/
Fairtrade (=Reilukauppa) label guarantees a better deal for Third World producers that often wouldn't get otherwise a fair share of the price. It ensures that producers can cover their average costs of sustainable production. The Fairtrade system has even a positive impact for all the surrounding society and the nature.
In Finland, you cannot be sure that the product you’re buying promotes sustainable development unless it is marked on the product with the proper label. This means that buying products without the proper labels can harm the environment if you are not careful. The production location is usually always marked on the product so that you can easily find what is local and so doesn't cause environmental emission.
When you want to make sure that the production is favorable for the environment and that the people and the animals within the production feel well, here are some tips how to spot the right products. Organic ("luomu") food is also free from chemicals and on that way healthier. Often the products with a label may be a bit more expensive since the control system makes more expenses.
Local production means always less emissions and storing. There might be a sign of "suomalainen" = Finnish or "kotimainen" = domestic.
You can also identify Finnish products with these labels:
The Hyvää Suomesta (Produce of Finland) label means that the product contains at least 75 per cent Finnish ingredients. All meat, fish, eggs and milk used in the products must be 100 per cent Finnish, as must products made up of a single ingredient. (Added water is not included as an ingredient.)
http://www.hyvaasuomesta.fi/english
The Avainlippu (“a key flag”) label is a designation of a product or service made in Finland. It guarantees 50 per cent of Finnish origin of the costs of product or service and that the head office of the company is in Finland. The average degree of the domestic origin of Avainlippu products is 80 %.
http://suomalainentyo.fi/yrityksille/avainlippu/
"Organic" is "luomu" in Finnish and you can identify the organic products of these labels:
The Euro Leaf logo is indicates about organic food established by the European Union. It means that at least 95% of the agricultural ingredients are organic. The label is compulsory for all the pre-packed organic food produced within the EU and you can even find the country of origin beside the label.
http://www.euroleaf.org/
In addition to the Euro Leaf logo you may also find Finland’s own voluntary organic labels:
The Aurinkomerkki (“the Sun Label”), Luomu – Valvottuatuotantoa logo guarantees the same criteria as the Euro Leaf label but also that the production is controlled by the Finnish controlling authority of organic production. It doesn't however mean that the product itself is Finnish.
http://www.evira.fi/portal/fi/tietoa+evirasta/asiakokonaisuudet/luomu/markkinointi+ja+merkinnat/aurinkomerkki/
The Joutsenmerkki (Swan label/ the Nordic Ecolabel) is a logo for a product or a service and means high environmental and climate requirements. A life-cycle perspective of the product is analyzed. Criteria is also set with regard to quality, health aspects and performance/functionality.
http://www.nordic-ecolabel.org/criteria/
Fairtrade (=Reilukauppa) label guarantees a better deal for Third World producers that often wouldn't get otherwise a fair share of the price. It ensures that producers can cover their average costs of sustainable production. The Fairtrade system has even a positive impact for all the surrounding society and the nature.
http://www.fairtrade.net/what-is-fairtrade.html